Limitations of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the best cosmetic dentistry procedures available. They can be used to treat almost any complaint you may have about your smile. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best choice in every situation. There are some limitations of porcelain veneers that you have to consider when thinking about your smile makeover.

May Not Be Reversible

If you decide to commit to porcelain veneers, you can’t decide later that you want to go back to your natural teeth. When we prepare your teeth to receive porcelain veneers, those teeth won’t look right without the veneers. They will also be more vulnerable to damage and decay. Fortunately, we have an alternative that doesn’t require natural tooth material be removed. Lumineers can dramatically improve your smile without the need to remove much of your natural tooth structure.

Not a Structural Support

Porcelain veneers are strong and durable for their designed purpose, but they’re not designed to serve as a structural support for your face or your bite. If you’re trying to change your bite, such as for TMJ treatment, you need something sturdier, like dental crowns.

Can’t Flex Like Natural Teeth

Porcelain veneers are hard and strong, but they’re not flexible. Your natural teeth are built to be flexible, which helps them withstand extreme bite pressures, including pulling and twisting forces. These types of forces will break porcelain veneers, which is why it’s even more important that you don’t use your teeth as tools after you get porcelain veneers. Doing things like tearing open packages or gripping plastic bottle lids will subject your veneers to forces they just aren’t designed to take.

Don’t Protect Tooth from Decay

Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic restoration, so they only cover the surfaces of your teeth that show when you smile. The rest of your natural tooth is still exposed and vulnerable to decay. It’s important that you maintain good oral hygiene on veneered teeth to ensure you don’t get cavities that will mean the veneer will have to be removed.

High Cost

Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted with detailed care to ensure they look beautiful and natural. The material used for them is sophisticated, combining attractiveness and strength. As a result, porcelain veneers are expensive. There are ways to control costs, and financing is available to help you afford the cost of porcelain veneers, but they will remain expensive. This makes it even more important that you take proper care of your porcelain veneers to help ensure they last for their full lifetime.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits and limitations of porcelain veneers in Philadelphia, please contact Dental Excellence of Blue Bell today or call (610) 272-0828 for a consultation.